Chapter 4 Escape Plan

CARIS POV

"I'm sorry but,” I nervously licked my lips, stunned by her outburst. “Do we know each other?"

She blinked then sat down slowly. "Forgive me," she said. "You remind me of someone."

I didn't believe that for a single second but I let it slide.

"Caris Fisher," I said again. "I was told to come before class."

"Yes." She opened a folder on her desk. "Please, sit."

I nodded and did as she asked.

"I'm the Headmistress, Mrs. Layla." She said it without looking up. "Welcome to ThornHeart Academy. I trust the journey was comfortable."

"It was, thank you." I watched her. She was avoiding my stare. "Can I ask you something?"

She bobbed her head, her gaze fixed on the laptop. "You may ask."

"Why me? Specifically. I've been wondering since I got the letter.” I leaned forward. How did I get picked for this school?"

She was quiet for a moment then shr finally looked at me. "Your record at your old is exceptional. ThornHeart selects students with particular academic abilities.”

Compared to Merida’s response, this made a lot of sense.

"So it was just grades," I muttered to myself and relaxed. I was starting to get worked up over nothing.

Mrs. Layla just gave me a brief rundown of what to expect and how to behave on campus. I was tempted to ask her about the monster and what June said but I shook it off.

She closed the folder. "You're dismissed. Enjoy your first class, Miss Fisher."

I stood, picked up my bag, and walked to the door. My hand was on the handle when she spoke again.

"Miss Fisher."

I turned.

She was looking at me directly now. "Stay on the marked paths," she said. "While you're getting familiar with the grounds."

I nodded and forced a smile. "Of course," I said and walked out.

“Now, I’ll have to find the classroom myself.” I muttered and pulled out the map.

I was looking down at it when I walked directly into someone. I stumbled and managed to catch myself before I could fall.

The girl in front of me was tall, with long dark hair and cheekbones that could cut glass.

She was accompanied by two other girls who were exceptionally beautiful. The tall one looked down at me.

"Watch where you're going," she snapped.

"Sorry," I said automatically. "I wasn't looking-"

"Clearly and you’re obviously new. Let me save you some time." She tilted her head slightly. "Stay out of my way and we'll get along fine. Get in it and we won't."

I felt the words building in my mouth and I opened my mouth. But the girl's eyes flashed, changing from brown to gold in a second.

My eyes widened and I stumbled back in horror. What the hell?

The girl smiled. "Good talk," she said and walked past me, her two companions following, without another word.

I stood against the wall and breathed. What was… what in the world just happened?

Slowly, I found my way to the busy classroom and June was there, waving over to me. The teacher wasn’t in yet so everyone was talking, people barely paid me any attention except for the occasional glance.

I staggered towards her and when she saw the look on my face, she frowned.

“What happened?”

I shook my head, still in a daze, then I told her everything that happened.

“You must have met Raven.” She said, patting my shoulders. “She’s like the Luna to the wolves.”

I frowned. “Why… you’re not actually serious about this school being for monsters, right?”

"I told you this morning," she pointed out, “you just didn’t want to believe me.”

I shook my head, not knowing what to say and she placed a hand on mine. I was about to talk when I felt warmth from underneath her palm, it started off small then it blazed into full heat.

I gasped and drew my hand back. “What was that?”

“I’m a witch, Caris.” She said it like she was talking about her favorite color. “And ThornHeart is a school for people who have some connection to the magical world. Students who are gifted, or who come from magical lineages.”

She paused. "Outcasts, mostly. People who don't fit in the normal world because something about them is different. The school exists specifically for them. For us, I suppose."

I stared at her, my mouth opening and closing uselessly.

"It's hidden," she continued. "From the normal world with glamours and illusions. To any other person, this place is a normal boarding school."

I said nothing for a very long time, then I finally found my voice. "That thing Raven did."

"Was her wolf," June said simply.

I shook my head. “There must be a mistake somewhere. I don’t have any powers at all! I’m normal!”

I didn’t realize I was shouting until half the class turned towards me. Pressing my lips together, I sat down and folded my hands together.

“The academy doesn’t make mistakes, Caris,” June whispered, patting my shoulder. “It chooses you.”

Ironically, it was the same thing Merida had said.

The teacher walked in at that moment and the entire classroom fell silent. While the teaching was going on, I pretended to be fine, writing notes and nodding my head.

But my mind was racing with different thoughts.

I wondered if the train was still at the station and if I could request to be taken back. No, it was too risky.

My eyes flickered to June, as if she sensed me, she looked up and passed me a warm smile. I forced one back but my heart was actually racing.

I couldn’t ask her to help me escape. She seemed to believe that I belonged here and she was also one of them.

A witch.

“Dammit.” I cursed under my breath and raked my fingers through my hair.

I was not staying here. I just had a genuinely terrible week and in a desperate moment I had made a decision that had landed me in a magical school hidden behind illusions.

This was not my life.

My life was ordinary and currently in ruins, yes, but it was mine and it was real. I was going to get back to it the moment I figured out how.

Magic or not. I was getting the hell out of this place… and fast.